Observed: The art of photography, song and postcards

Artist and creative director George McCalman captures the style and personalities of attendees at Bay Area events with his illustrations. This installment covers art and artistry, from the “Untitled, Art” fair and a photography exhibition in Berkeley to S.F. chanteuse Renee Wilson’s show at Bimbo’s 365 Club and a postcard initiative started by S.F. drag icon Juanita More!

Silhouettes photography exhibition, Berkeley Art Museum & Pacific Film Archive, March 8: “I typically applaud Japanese art students that I see around my office in SoMa who have show-stopping accessories and outerwear. Also lots of elders in this town have great style, maybe because they just don’t care and take more risks than the cookie-cutter puffer vest person. I worry about my own fashion sense depleting since moving here ... just being honest.” Erica Sewell, co-founder, CreativeTypes

Photo: Illustration, George McCalman

Dear, Mr. President Postcard Campaign, The Lookout, San Francisco, March 13: “I’ve created Dear, Mr. President in conjunction with the campaign and have commissioned local artists to create the artwork for the postcards. There are so many people in our community who are searching for a more positive way to stay involved during this turbulent political nightmare. It’s easy to just write, f— you but that doesnt help to create change. I, too, was beyond disappointed after the election and it took weeks before I finally woke up and realized I needed to put my heels back on and continue to do things to inspire the community.” —Juanita More!, drag legend

‘Untitled, Art’ Fair, Pier 70, Jan. 12: ”I paint with brushes and with empty markers that I fill with acrylic ink. The marks that I make accumulate over the surfaces of the paintings. I begin each piece in a very organized fashion but inevitably my hand slips. Perfection is an impossibility, but I dont think of the slippages as mistakes I dont think of the work in those terms.” — Linn Meyers, artist

Photo: Illustration, George McCalman

“Untitled, Art” fair, Pier 70, Jan. 12: ”I used to live here and its tough to come back to five dollars for a cup of coffee at Philz. But that s— is crack. What does he put in there? I think he puts butter in it.” — Linn Meyers, artist

Silhouettes photography exhibition, Berkeley Art Museum & Pacific Film Archive, March 8: ”One of the ways I found my subjects was to approach strangers on the street and to place ads on Craigslist. I would use my own silhouette as a visual example, and explain a little about the project and its goals. I would post my ad in Women seeking Women, which was hilarious. My wife Jenelle was very understanding and trusting of my process!” — Erica Deeman, fine art photographer

Photo: Illustration, George McCalman

Silhouettes photography exhibition, Berkeley Art Museum & Pacific Film Archive, March 8: ”Well, I’m not sure I can be called a patron maybe more of a passionista. We are makers, collectors, supporters active participants in the creative world through several generations. I just always found beauty in things images, nature, edibles and want to be surrounded by such.” — Cheryl Ward, art patron

Photo: Illustration, George McCalman

Silhouettes photography exhibition, Berkeley Art Museum & Pacific Film Archive, March 8: ”When I walked into the installation at BAMPFA, nobody was there except the docent, so I had the whole space to myself to just feel the work. That big white room, those big black images partially reflected in the polished concrete just ... shining at me. It felt like communion.” —Tab McDaniel, user experience designer

Renee Wilson, Bimbos 365 Club, San Francisco, March 9: “I think (the song) BlackBird is more complex the word happy can seem so trite sometimes. It makes me really happy in a deep self-love kind of way ... knowing that whatever has happened in the past, right now and even in the future will be absolutely all right. No need for fear. Just spread your wings and learn to see.” — Renee Wilson, singer, songwriter

Photo: Illustration, George McCalman

Renee Wilson, Bimbos 365 Club, San Francisco, March 9: “I have ICU in my email address because thats what I do here... I take care of people.” — Lisanna Taylor, bartender